Coming to London - Where to stay

jweaver · Post by **jweaver** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:02 am

The wife and I are going to England for a week in December and we have toyed with the idea of renting an apartment for the week. Self-catering studio I think they are called, any suggestions?

jww · Post by **jww** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:53 am

No question that self-catering is the way to go. While we have family in the UK, we always take part of any vacation we have there and go self-catering. We have been very lucky with internet bookings.

The further out you stay, the cheaper accommodation will be - however, you'll pay more to commute in. We found that when we have stayed in London that the Paddington station area is a good location. It's just north of Hyde Park, and is close to bus stops and a tube station. You can get all-day passes on the London Transit (both bus and tube) for a decent fee. We found that not only more economical, but also much better than those tour companies that offer on-and-off services throughout the main areas of London.

There is so much to see and do in London. Make sure that you do not miss the opportunity to go on the London Eye. It is well worth the money. The Tower of London is another must-see place as is The British Museum (the museum is free - not much in London is). The Globe Theatre is another place we love as well.

While you are there take a walk on the banks of the Thames river - another of my favorite London experiences.

Enjoy your trip - you have plenty of time to work out the details.

jweaver · Post by **jweaver** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:27 pm

Yeah, we got a greaty deal on tickets, and British airways through in two London two day passes that lets us get in a ton of places for free like the Tower and a few others. It should be fun.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:12 pm

Jeffrey,

I can't recommend any apartments to rent, though I don't think you'll have any trouble finding one. If you're looking for a hotel, check out Gower Street. There are many good ones along there which are reasonably priced (for London). It is 5 mins walk from Euston and is parallel to Tottenham Court Road which takes you down to Oxford Street, Bond Street and Westminster in about a 20 minute walk. All you favourite shaving boutiques in St James' can be reached in around half an hour by foot

A word of warning about London travel. Thanks to the current socialist Mayor of London, travelling in town is no longer as cheap or as easy as before. If you are staying more than a couple of days, to save burning a hole in your wallet, you MUST buy an Oyster Card. All Londoners and occasional visitors have one.

The card costs £3 which is paid as a deposit. When you leave London just hand the card back and you'll get the deposit plus your remaining credit refunded. It works on a top-up system and reduces single tube fares from £4.00 minimum (Note, a SINGLE ticket!) to £1.50. It also greatly reduces the cost of bus travel. So, say you're doing a return journey to somewhere in zone 1, it would cost you about £9 without an Oyster Card and about £3 with one. The saving is pretty huge, and last time I checked, you get your deposit and any remaining credit on the card refunded when you hand it back (most people don't, but you may wish to)

Check out the website here

PM me if you have any more questions.

jweaver · Post by **jweaver** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:27 pm

Thanks Gareth, I might ask you more as time approaches. Red Ken has changed the feel of London for many people it seems, I am still so very excited.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:41 pm

jweaver wrote:Thanks Gareth, I might ask you more as time approaches. Red Ken has changed the feel of London for many people it seems, I am still so very excited.

Jeffrey,

Don't get me wrong, London is still a truly amazing city with an incredible vibe and atmosphere. However, the cost of travelling in the city has just gone through the roof, especially with the congestion charge and tube fare increases. Still being 'in my prime' as it were, I try and walk everywhere when I go up to London. You see more, it's cheaper and you get a much better feel for the place. One day earlier this year, my fiancee and I walked over ten miles in one day all over London. We were shattered, but it was certainly worth it. It's what I'd do, but in true SMF style, YMMV (Sorry, poor joke I know, but I couldn't resist it!

)

Feel free to contact me at any time.

jweaver · Post by **jweaver** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:47 pm

That is great, I cannot wait to get in and about.

jww · Post by **jww** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:03 pm

Even when you get 'the right' location - it's pretty tough to depend entirely on your own two feet. The last time we were in London, we wanted to get the feel of the city and ended up taking one bus in the morning out past the Tower and to nearby The Globe. We then made our way back on foot - along the south bank of the Thames, across to Westminster, up to The Mall, alongside Buckingham Palace and up to Knightsbridge. We then took the tube back to Paddington. We were totally spent, but man it was awesome.

The next three days we used the tube and buses alot more. If you luck out and get a bus with a conductor on it (not sure if they have totally stopped that yet or not) you are in for a treat - they are the best London city guides going.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:14 pm

jww wrote:The next three days we used the tube and buses alot more. If you luck out and get a bus with a conductor on it (not sure if they have totally stopped that yet or not) you are in for a treat - they are the best London city guides going.

Sadly, conductors are becoming a rare site these days too. The age of the Oyster Card has probably put an end to that. Similarly the buses themselves have changed. Gone are the traditional and famous red Routemaster buses where you could hop on and off at the back. Now the city is blessed with these very politically correct and very Red Ken 'bendy-buses' which have a nasty habit of catching fire from time to time, so I am told....

A sign of the times unfortunately.

jww · Post by **jww** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:19 am

Gareth Probert wrote:
jww wrote:The next three days we used the tube and buses alot more. If you luck out and get a bus with a conductor on it (not sure if they have totally stopped that yet or not) you are in for a treat - they are the best London city guides going.
Sadly, conductors are becoming a rare site these days too. The age of the Oyster Card has probably put an end to that. Similarly the buses themselves have changed. Gone are the traditional and famous red Routemaster buses where you could hop on and off at the back. Now the city is blessed with these very politically correct and very Red Ken 'bendy-buses' which have a nasty habit of catching fire from time to time, so I am told....

A sign of the times unfortunately.

Yeah - what a change 4 years can make. We have been back to the UK just about every 18-14 months or so. but focus on staying in the north where we have family.

While in London, I recommend a day trip to at least Oxford and possibly another to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath or Cambridge. Any are very accessible by train.

Make sure you take lots of cash and be prepared to line up - expense and queues are a thing of normalcy for the typical Brit.

wenestvedt · Post by **wenestvedt** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:27 am

It's four pounds to ride the Tube now? Holy mackerel! How far, just in the central Zone? I haven't been there since, uh, 1997, so I've missed the London Eye and the Aquarium and a lot of other things. But...four pounds? If other expenses have risen as fast, it may be a few more years before I get back. :7(

- Will

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:32 am

Will,

I'm afraid so, yes. Zone One covers the whole of what would be described as 'central London' and extends both north and south of the Thames. The tube (unless you have an Oyster Card) is certainly no longer a cost-effective method of travelling.

The price increase has been horrendous and considerably higher than inflation.

wenestvedt · Post by **wenestvedt** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:15 am

Last time I went to London it was just my wife and I, celebrating our first wedding anniversary. We walked everywhere instead of riding the Tube, and I got to see a lot of London that most people (possibly many Londoners!) miss, just because it's the space between subway stops.

When I lived in Boston I was amazed the first time I took a bus instead of the subway: a ride that took a good 75 to 90 minutes underground took about 20 on the streets!

So next time I visit I'll probably have my brood in tow (and it'll likely be a good ten years)...but walking will do them good.

- Will

NickNCut · Post by **NickNCut** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:45 pm

It's been 3 or four years since I was in London. Stayed at the Landmark at Marylebone station, outstanding hotel. I think a zone 1 tube ride was a pound and a half, with a day pass costing 4-5 pounds. One way 8 bucks "this side of the pond" is a little steep. London is an expensive town.

Trying to remember the park, I think is behind Charing Cross station, towards the Thames. It is great place to have a picnic. Seems to be the "happy hour" park. About 5-6 o'clock people start showing up with bottle of wine and blankets, it appears to be an after work crowd.

Anyhow, way to much to do in London, leave some time for the national gallery and Trafalgar square.

Eric

kirkawall · Post by **kirkawall** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:27 am

Hi,

It isn't self-catering exactly, but it is a terrific hotel with gorgeous design touches and a fridge in your room: The Hoxton Hotel, near Liverpool Street is where we stay in London. Often rooms for under 40.00 GBP per night and lots of people-watching (film stars, models, artists) to boot. Another good choice for longer stays is the Jenkins in Bloomsbury.

best,

k